Medal Winner At First Nationals

 

Nick J. Thierry


VICTORIA - Swimmers winning a medal at their first nationals are members of a small group. Trevor Brekke, 21, of Comox Valley AC and Simon Fraser University, did it in the 100 breaststroke with a bronze and a time of 1:04.55.

He had an early introduction to swimming. "I swam summer club from age 5 to 18. I'm in my second year at Simon Fraser University. In Comox, just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, we have a six-lane, 25-m pool, but the water temperature is 87°F (30°C). During the school year I swim at SFU and hold the NAIA record for 100 yards breaststroke and this year also won the 200 breaststroke.

"This coming summer I will be training in Calgary and with Morgan Knabe (the winner of the 100-200 breaststroke in Victoria).

With 25 m remaining in the 100 breaststroke, Knabe was well in the lead and the rest of field was a body length back with almost the whole field having a chance at the remaining medals. "It was dog fight for the finish. At the 50 I think I was in seventh. I started to pick it up and wasn't going to let the guy beside me beat me as I thought he was in second. Of course I didn't see anyone on the other side of the pool. I was focusing totally on the wall at the finish."


Bronze for Trevor Brekke in the 100 breast
Click image for larger photo. Photo © Nick Thierry


Trevor had hopes for a final spot in the 200, not his strongest event. "I don't think it will take a sub 2:20 to get in." He missed, only placing 26th in the morning.

"I don't know why but the atmosphere is not conducive to fast times."

A psychology student at SFU, Trevor Brekke feels his lack of age group swimming could be an advantage. He is a long ways from the burn-out stage common to many of his age.